The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is the national anti-poverty program of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, working to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ “… to bring good news to the poor … release to captives … sight to the blind, and let the oppressed go free.” (Luke 4:18)
The belief that those who are directly affected by unjust systems and structures have the best insight into knowing how to change them is central to CCHD. CCHD works to break the cycle of poverty by helping low-income people participate in decisions that affect their lives, families and communities. CCHD offers a hand up, not a hand out.
CCHD Education
Why does poverty continue to exist in the United States?
CCHD works to provide education and promote understanding about poverty and its root causes. The key to solving the problem of poverty is understanding it.
The CCHD works to educate through:
- Poverty USA – A great resource to learn, act, connect, and pray about poverty and to read Stories of Hope. (En Español)
- The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) Multimedia Youth Contest is a tool to engage young people in grades 7-12 in learning about poverty in the U.S., its root causes, and faith-inspired efforts to address poverty, especially through CCHD.
- Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award is awarded to young adult social justice leaders in the Catholic Church. Young adults (ages 18-40) are nominated by a pastor, university faculty or staff, a local CCHD Diocesan Director, a CCHD-funded group, a mentor, or a colleague. This award is given to a young adult who has:
- Leadership consistent with the work and philosophy of CCHD to address the basic causes of economic poverty,
- a commitment to carry out the church’s option for and with the poor through the empowerment of people living in poverty and relationship building between those who are poor and non-poor, and
- potential for future leadership in these arenas.
Poverty Education – Learn about ways that Catholics can engage in learning more about poverty and how to assist those in need are below.
Internships – CCHD funds a number of stipend-provided summer, semester, and year-long internships for Catholics in the United States to gain experience working with and on behalf of the poor.
CCHD Local Grant
Does Your Organization Need Support?
Annual CCHD contributions to support local organizations are made possible by Catholics in the Diocese of Phoenix who contribute to our diocesan CCHD collection each year.
Eligible organizations can apply for a local grant of up to $10,000 through the Diocese of Phoenix’s department of Catholic Social Teaching.
Are you eligible to apply?
General Requirements
- You are a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
- You are located within the Diocese of Phoenix, which includes Maricopa, Mohave, Yavapai, and Coconino counties and the Gila River Indian Reservation in Pinal County.
- You are working to change social structures and policies that undermine life and dignity, especially for those on the margins.
- Your organization does not engage in, or support work that is partisan or in conflict with our Catholic Social Teaching Guidelines
What if I applied for a national grant?
You can apply for a local grant if:
- You completed a pre-application for a national grant but were not accepted to complete a full application.
- You were accepted to complete an application for a national grant but did not receive a national grant.
Our application for the 2026-2027 cycle is open January 5th through February 8th, 2026. For any questions, please contact Abigail Poole at apoole@dphx.org or (602) 354-2125.
CCHD National Grant
Does Your Organization Need Support?
Are you an organization that serves the poor in our community and would like to apply for a national grant?
Annual CCHD contributions to support community organizations are made possible by Catholics throughout the United States who contribute to CCHD each year. To qualify for CCHD funds, applicant organizations must not promote, in any way, activities that work against Catholic values. CCHD’s grants to local anti-poverty efforts are screened, awarded, and monitored in close partnership with local Catholic dioceses. CCHD grants to groups in a local community require the explicit approval of the bishop of that diocese.
The application for the 2025 cycle has now closed. For more information on national grant guidelines and policies please visit the USCCB CCHD website.
CCHD Supporting Anti-Poverty Projects
CCHD allocates funds to community projects that help low-income people in decisions that affect their lives, families and communities, promote the mission and vision of CCHD while adhering to the moral and social teachings of the Catholic Church.
CCHD is committed to accountability and transparency.
Where does CCHD Funding Come From?
Our primary source of support is a once-a-year collection held in parishes across the United States. The annual collection, usually held in November, is split between the national office and the Diocese of Phoenix. To contribute to this collection, please visit our second collections page.
From our collections:
25% of the proceeds collected in our diocese go to funding local initiatives.
75% support national initiatives that address the root causes of poverty through non-profit, self-help organizations.